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ASIAN AMERICAN ISSUES
Yao Ming: The Next Asian Superstar?
(Updated
Wednesday, Jan 22, 2025, 06:38:56 AM)
he sweetest moment for Asian men in American sports came on June 26, 2002 at Madison Square Garden. The Houston Rockets had just spent their number one overall draft pick on 7-5 Chinese center Yao Ming over 6-2 Duke guard Jay Williams. The largely black crowd of draft prospects and their contingents booed. They had reason to be displeased. For the past quarter century black athletes had dominated pro basketball and they saw Yao as a subversive force, an alien threat. Even Charles Barkley -- Yao's basketball idol -- sniped at Houston's choice and hinted at bad consequences.
David or Goliath?
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What's wrong with this picture?
In the global sports scene blacks have come to represent all-around athletic prowess. Asian athletes, on the other hand, have been painted as disciplined and skilled but lacking power and size, able to excel only in sports no one cares about. For an Asian to get the top pick in a black-dominated sport was heresy.
To appreciate what Yao represents to Asian American men requires a quick trip down memory lane. And we do mean quick. The lane is short and sparsely populated.
In the beginning there was Sammy Lee, the first Asian American to win Olympic gold. He did it with 10-meter platform diving at the 1948 London games and again in 1952 at the Helsinki games. Not exactly a marquee sport, but inspiring nevertheless at a time when Asian Americans hardly knew what to call themselves.
Then came Michael Chang whose 1989 French Open championship has passed into tennis legend. Cramping and down two sets to Ivan Lendl in the round of 16, the 17-year-old phenom dared to discombobulate the Ice Man with moonballs and an underhanded serve. The ploy worked. The proof that Chang's nerves and speed were real came in the classic 5-set finals victory against Stefan Edberg. But Chang's recent ignomious descent into tennis twilight raises the suspicion that he simply lacks the size and power to stay in the power game.
It wasn't until Hideo Nomo joined the Dodgers in 1995 that an Asian athlete was able to inspire sustained frenzy in one of the big-three sports. Nomo's martian windup and delivery proved so effective that he set Dodgers strikeout records, made the All-Stars and inspired Nomomania.
By 2001 when Ichiro Suzuki joined the Mariners, Asian imports taking Rookie of the Year honors had practically become a Major League tradition. But none had done it with Ichiro's flair or sunglasses. It wasn't enough that he led the game in hitting and basestealing, he seemed determined to make it look easy. Sex appeal had finally come to the image of the Asian male athlete.
But the image still lacked something in many AA minds. Sure, for a leadoff hitter Ichiro hit his share of home runs, but he was known for speed and finesse, not power. Having chafed so long under stereotypes denying them size and strength, AA men longed for a star who could knock those assumptions back into the last millennium.
Eyes turned longingly to football as the obvious arena for the ultimate stereotype smasher -- and saw only Dat Nguyen of the Dallas Cowboys. As a promising linebacker, Nguyen doesn't enjoy the cache of a star offensive back. And at 5-11 and 240 pounds, Nguyen isn't exactly in the 99th percentile in terms of size and power among football players.
Asian American eyes were drawn to basketball by a trio of giants known collectively as "The Great Wall". They were very big for the Chinese national team. First to make his NBA debut was Wang Zhizhi (7-1, 220 pounds) in April 2001. As a center for the Dallas Mavericks he has averaged 5.5 points per 10.6 minutes of playing time per game. A respectable stat for any rookie but disappointing for those who had hoped for an instant Asian star. Then came Mengke Bateer (6-11, 290 pounds) in February of 2002. Despite 15.1 minutes of play per game as a center for the Denver Nuggets, he too disappointed some with an average 5.1 points and 3.6 rebounds.
Enter the Dragon. At a height variously described as 7-5 or 7-6, Yao Ming, 22, is at once the tallest and youngest of the trio. In the past two years his weight shot up from 255 to 295 pound -- and he's still growing. His gifts extend beyond size, however. He moves a foot shorter. Born to a pair of former stars for the Chinese national teams, his court instincts and skills are practically dyed-in-the-wool.
And yet Yao isn't a lock to defy the darker prognostications of his prospects as a Rocket. He was regularly outplayed by Wang Zhizhi when both were playing in China. Even with Yao, Wang and Mengke, the Chinese national team routinely lost to second-tier powers like France and Lithuania. Yao has never gone up against the likes of Shaquille O'Neal. The adjustment to life in the U.S. will be long and difficult. In short, Yao Ming is ideally positioned to become the biggest disappointment in the history of Asians in American sports.
Is Yao Ming the next Asian superstar? Or is he more likely to reinforce the image of Asian men as also-rans in power sports?
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WHAT YOU SAY
[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]
To ----"NicholiServi" idiot!!
worldlyman
Another View
Umberto Eco
This forum's preface states:
"Yao has never gone up against the likes of Shaquille O'Neal. The adjustment to life in the U.S. will be long and difficult. In short, Yao Ming is ideally positioned to become the biggest disappointment in the history of Asians in American sports."
I can count on one hand the number of Asian power players in the NBA and NFL. IF this forum's preface writer has this much doubt in MING, why do you insist on believing otherwise. Yao Ming will be no one in 2 years. He probably won't even get a commercial or movie.
No advertisement +no movies = no good
Nicholi Servia
Monday, November 25, 2002 at 04:35:14 (PST)
[211.156.8.90]
To ----"NicholiServi" idiot!!
worldlyman
Another View
Umberto Eco
Wow thats really some great views you all have. Perhaps if any of your comments meant 1 damn I'd rethink my words. You take a good look at the records an you tell me who is better. Wang Zi zi or Yao Ming. The only thing Yao Ming is is MONEY. He is gonna bring in so many Asian viewers to Basketball and Time Warner Cable is gonna walk away with all of it. They dont care how well he does as long as he gets $$$. You'll buy his sneakers, you'll buy his jerseys and you'll play right into the NBA's hands.
Even if an impossibility like Yao beating Shaq, Kobe and the LA Lakers occours, HE will still be knocked out continuously by other teams.
Bet you all $100 each the Rockets don't win the Championship.
Yao Ming doesn't stand a chance against a three point shooter or your average lay -up- man. Ive seen this guy play. HEs been knocked around by Canadians. Well see what happens when Yao Ming gets beat up on. Just wait and see. Ill com back to this post and accept your apologies.
BTW : ----YUP
When I said Asian spend more money per capita on Basketball,
Thank you for not challenging my wisdom.
Nicholi Servia
Monday, November 25, 2002 at 04:29:14 (PST)
[211.156.8.90]
Hey guys,
I hope, soon, to see Yao dunk on shaq and show him who's the boss. And I also think that in the future as the economy of asia grows and grows. They will be able to produce more dominating players. In Yao last game, he didn't do as will and I assume, maybe, is b/c he is nervous to see his teammate Wang. Because he has never seen or played him in the NBA, is a physological thing. Just my opinion though.
NicholiServia ,
From your post I can tell you're not asian.
kookie
Monday, November 25, 2002 at 00:14:15 (PST)
[162.83.146.45]
Yao Ming, the top overall pick of the 2002 draft who had a pair of breakout games this week, was limited to four points and seven rebounds in 28 minutes. For a brief stretch, he shared the court with Chinese compatriot Wang Zhizhi of the Clippers (11 minutes today).
"I don't think we were the main players in the game," Yao said.
"Hopefully, me and Yao will get better and give more respect to Chinese basketball and make Chinese basketball better," Wang said.
----------------------------------------
They both played pretty good besides today's game. There was probably too much emotion involved. Any of you saw how Wang drove wildly into the basket and forced his shots?
And, I think Wang should rephrase his remarks. They both are not carrying the torch for just Chinese basketball. They represent Asian and Asian-American basketball no matter how we see it.
Great Wall trio fan
Sunday, November 24, 2002 at 21:30:05 (PST)
[130.182.129.144]
Man, I was at the Clippers-Rockets game today and I have never seen so many Chinese fans and reporters covering an NBA game in my life. I heard that many people in China (even Xinjiang and Tibet provinces) have this game live on TV. It is what they been waiting for: "Yao vs. Wang in the NBA!!!"
But, it was disappointing. They both choked. Both tried too hard to please the Chinese crowd and Chinese nation on national TV.
For Wang, it was more emotional because if any of you follow Chinese Basketball Association games, Wang's team always kicks the crap out of Yao's team. Any of you see how extra hard Wang was on Yao? When he swatted the ball away from Yao, everyone near us got up out of their seats.
They ain't enemies, but hardcore rivals back from the China days. I saw them chatting before game time.
My friend just e-mailed me a photo of both of them together joking before the game (NBA.COM).
I assume that not all the Asian people watching this game at Staples Center were Chinese, but many were.
There shouldn't be so much Chinese reporters and media coverage as it is distracting for them. Just look at what happens to the Japanese MLB baseball players when Japanese media crews cover their games. They also choke (like Yao and Wang did today).
Hopefully, I will get to see a better version of "Yao vs. Wang in the NBA" part II next time.
Asian basketball
Sunday, November 24, 2002 at 20:49:01 (PST)
[64.130.235.33]
Yao showed that he could be a defensive presence too. He scored 4 points and 7 rebounds his game with the Clippers on
Sunday, but he was a defensive threat, challenging as much shots he could.
I saw the game. If you don't believe me,
just ask the Clippers Center, Michael Olowakandi.
He couldn't contribute offensively so he contributed defensively and that's a sure sign that he truly understands the
game. The Clippers lost, but it was a good effort by the Rockets although they had alot of mistakes in the final seconds.
He was charged with goal tending but that shot from the Clippers was going in anyway even without the touch.
Peace
Potential
Sunday, November 24, 2002 at 20:31:18 (PST)
[68.96.110.59]
Don't worry bros!
NicholiServia is probably one of those non-Asians with Asian fetishes (like a foot or toe fetish). He doesn't know how to mind his manners. ;) So, you must excuse him.
"Toe Man"? You cool with that?
One of the AC gang
Sunday, November 24, 2002 at 20:16:24 (PST)
[209.244.100.24]
counter puncher,
As a Chinese, I would like to extend a handshake to you. Let's forget about what was said and the past, if you agree, then join this forum as an Asian supporter of Yao Ming and other Asian athletes. Whatever hateful things you said in the past, I will forget them as long you truly join our cause. That cause is to support any Asian athletes especially when they are destroying stereotypes and racist ideas created by the White man. You are my Asian brother, we share the same blood and we share the same future. No matter what you said, I would alwyas rather see you with a beautiful Chinese sister than a white guy with an asian fetish. You are my Asian brother. It is up to you whether to accept my handshake.
rationalist
Sunday, November 24, 2002 at 14:11:52 (PST)
[12.236.102.55]
Yao ming is sooooooooooooooo beautiful!!!
GOD
God@yahoo.com
Sunday, November 24, 2002 at 11:18:45 (PST)
[207.172.11.233]
counterpuncher, here you go again... In case you haven't pulled the mold out of your ears, Yao Ming has established an NBA field goal percentage record over a course of 5 games (beating out wilt chamberlain!!!). And now, he currently leads the league in field goal percentage at an eye-popping 70.5 %. And it is not just one game, it has been a rather consistent string of games. 20 against the lakers on sunday (9-9), then 9 against cleveland (4-5 shooting), 30 against dallas (in case you haven't noticed, dallas is the best team in the league with an impeccable zone defense [shawn bradley is having a good season, averaging almost 3 blocks and 11 points]), then 18 against the wizards on friday. That's consistency.
0 , 2, 2, 4 blocks in that order. Is that weak defense? drrr? holding rival centers to 0 points, and 2 points respectively? the chicago bull's eddy curry dropped more points against Shaq than bradley, kwame brown, and haywood could combined against Yao (8-4).
6, 6, 16, 8 rebounds as well.
And he dunks ALOT.
See, we're such good natured folks answering all your question; the Chinese are... and you really could stand to learn from our examples.
chinatown
Sunday, November 24, 2002 at 11:08:39 (PST)
[67.98.161.33]
You know that korean guy name Ri Myong-hun never made it to the NBA. If he did, wow he would probably change history being the tallest player in the NBA. Man but he didn't, I always wonder how he would do in the NBA. Now we may never know b/c he didn't make it because of political reason. If he did, he and Yao will be the next dominator in the NBA. Go ASIANs! I also heard that he has shot's too. Imagine him looking at shaq and shoot over him like droping apples in a basket and block shots from Shaq, wow, Asian will rule then. Hopefully in the future there will be more asian in the NBA dominating or Someone like that korean dude.
lokiloki
Sunday, November 24, 2002 at 09:51:33 (PST)
[162.83.146.45]
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